Follow @Kolfootballnews 17.08.2015- AIFF PRESS RELEASE : 22 members have been selected for the Indian U-19 National Team squad for the SAFF U-19 Championship 2015, which is slated to commence in Kathmandu, Nepal. The Indian contingent has been pitted against Maldives and Afghanistan in Group B of the Championship. Two Teams from the Group will progress into the latter stages of the Championship. The Tournament is slated to kick-off from August 20, 2015 and the Indian colts will play their first match on August 23, 2015 against Afghanistan in Kathmandu, Nepal.

The Indian U-19 National Team finished runners-up in the SAFF U-19 2015 Championship on Saturday (August 29, 2015) as they lost 5-4 on penalties against hosts Nepal, after a 1-1 draw at the end of ninety minutes, at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal. India missed their first penalty of the shoot-out, while Nepal scored all five to earn the SAFF Championship.

Coming off a win against Bangladesh in the semi-finals the Indian colts, albeit controlled the tempo of the match and attacked with sheer pace, failed to apply the finishing touch in much of their chances. Playing in an intimidating atmosphere the colts pressurized their opponents as they looked for a breakthrough in the opening minutes of the match.

A corner kick garnered by the Indian colts, after a splendid attack from the right flank, was headed inches wide of the post. Next, Lalramzuava’s long ranger earned an uncanny save by the Nepali custodian as the Colts started to pull strings. Attacking with fluidity and precision, the Indian contingent fell behind to a goal in the 20th minute, when a counter attack resulted in a corner-kick, which earned the dividends for the hosts as they headed home to take the lead.

Not to be deterred the Indian contingent continued to knock their opponent’s door for an equalizer. A bustling header from a corner-kick flew whiskers over the bar as the colts continued to raid the opponent’s citadel. Albeit trailing 1-0 at halftime, the Indian colts had a wonderful opportunity to equalize their deficit in the 65th minute, and had it not been for a heroic lunge of the Nepali defence, the colts would have certainly availed the dividends. But a corner was all the Colts could gather.

With momentum on their side, the Colts began to dominate possession and breached the Nepali defence in the 88th minute, when an Indian corner was handled inside the box, resulting in a penalty kick. A calm and composed Shahbaaz stepped up to equalize India’s deficit. And the scoreline remained stagnant at 1-1 for the remaining time. With the match moving to the penalty shoot-out, the Nepali contingent scored all five of their penalties, while the Indian colts missed their opening penalty to lose 5-4.

27.08.2015:India 0-0, 4-3 (Pen) Bangladesh

The Indian U-19 National Team progressed into the finals of the SAFF U-19 2015 Championship on Thursday (August 27, 2015) as they defeated Bangladesh 4-3 on penalties after a goalless stalemate at the end of ninety minutes, at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal.

The Indian Colts now face Nepal in the Finals of the Championship, which is slated to kick-off on August 29, 2015 at the same venue. Coming off a 3-0 win against Maldives in their last Group Stage match, the Indian colts pressed from the whistle, as they searched for an early breakthrough.

In the 23rd minute, Daniel’s shot came agonizingly close to the goal. Two minutes later, a glitzy one touch passing move, which penetrated the Bangladeshi defence, was concluded with a shot straight at the opponent’s custodian.

Mounting pressure and disabling any Bangladeshi attacks with acute finesse, the Indian colts started to control the tempo of the match. A floated corner was met by a thumping header which flew whiskers over the bar in the 29th minute. With the Indian colts gaining ground towards goal, the danger was there for all to see, however the attacking finesse of the colts lacked the conversion and thus at half-time the scoreline remained stagnant at 0-0.

Changing over, and both Teams entwined in a battle for possession resulting in an end-to-end affair. In the 81st minute of the match, the Indian colts came close to securing the decisive goal as Daniel’s shot flew inches wide of the post.

Second later, another Indian attempt went abegging. With ninety minutes not enough to segregate the Teams, penalty shoot-out commenced, wherein the colts won 4-3.

25.08.2015: India 3-0 Maldives (FT)

The Indian U-19 National Team qualified for the semi-finals of the SAFF U-19 2015 Championship as they defeated Maldives 3-0 on Tuesday (August 25, 2015) at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal. The Indian colts will now clash swords against Bangladesh on August 27, 2015 for a spot in the Finals of the Championship, which is slated to kick-off on August 29, 2015.

Following close on the heels of a splendid 2-0 win against Afghanistan, the Indian contingent once again fused attacking fluidity with defensive solidity, as they edged out their opponents. Dominating possession from the start, the Indian contingent earned a free-kick in the opening minutes of the match in a dangerous position. Although the free-kick went abegging, the colts continued to pile the pressure and raid the opponent’ citadel.

A drilling Moinuddin header in the 10th minute, following a delightful cross from Japis, went whiskers wide of the goal.
Edging ever closer to the goal, the Colts hit the woodwork in the 20th minute as a blasted free-kick rattled the crossbar.
With the colts maintaining their pressure and pushing their opponents to play inside their own box, dividends, sooner or later, had to come. And it did in the 41st minute of the match when Moinuddin latched onto a loose ball, only to slot home comfortably past the custodian.

A penalty kick late into the first half went abegging for Maldives and at half-time the scoreline reflected 1-0 in favor of the Indian contingent.Changing over, and the Colts doubled their lead in the 46th minute, when Lalramzuava slotted his ball home, following a cut-back by Daniel.

Minutes later the colts came close to tripling their lead as Sarthak’s shot ricocheted off the post, after an uncanny clearance from a corner kick. Controlling the tempo of the match, the Colts put their tie to bed as they tripled their lead in the 71st minute, when Anirudh Thapa scored a beauty from long-range, following a cut-back from Prashant. A sterling Indian performance was safeguarded by the defence, and at the end of full-time the scoreline read 3-0.

AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Indian U-19 National Team kicked-off their SAFF U-19 2015 Championship campaign with a 2-0 win over Afghanistan on Sunday (August 23, 2015) at the ANFA HQ in Satdobato, Nepal. An early goal fused with a sterling attacking and defensive performance laid the foundations of an easy Indian win.

The Indian colts dashed out to attack from the kick-off and earned a corner in the first minute itself. Albeit the corner went abegging, the pressure which the Indian contingent aimed to create was evident. Dominating possession in the final third, whilst incepting pressure on the opponent, was bound to earn dividends for the Indian contingent. And it did, as early as the 11th minute, when a delightful lofted free-kick was headed home by Kamalpreet Singh.

Minutes later the Indian colts were at it again. An exquisite one touch play created an opening for the Indian contingent, but the chance went abegging. Not to be deterred by the missed opportunity, the Colts were close to doubling their lead in the dying embers of the first half as a thunderous shot rattled the opposition’s crossbar. However, at the end of the first forty five minutes, the Indian contingent lead by a solitary goal.

An Afghan incursion in the early minutes of the second half was dismantled by sheer acumen by the Indian defence paving way for the Indian attack to take control of the match once again. A delicious cross from the right flank, which was onto its way to goal, was cleared away by the Afghan defence in the 60th minute resulting in a corner. Second later, a thumping effort from Moin was saved by the Afghan custodian.

The Indian colts doubled their lead in the 86th minute of the match when a glitzy one touch play with Rohit saw Anirudh Thapa onto goal. The latter danced past two Afghan defenders and slotted the ball home, to give the colts a well deserved two goal cushion. In the dying embers of the match, a desperate Afghan contingent attacked all-out, but their prowess was nullified by an excellent defensive performance by the Indian colts.

At the end of full-time the score-line read 2-0 in favor of the Indian Colts.The Indian Colts face Maldives in their next match of the SAFF U-19 2015 Championship on August 25, 2015.

FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015, INDIA U19 Squad

AIFF PRESS RELEASE - 17.08.2015 : 17 members have been shortlisted for the Indian U-19 National Team squad, which will be participating in the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015. The Championship kicked-off earlier this month on August 05, 2015. The Indian colts have been clubbed in Group A alongside Frenz United A, Felda United FC (both Malaysia) and Chonburi FC (Thailand).

The Teams in the Group will play on a home and away basis and top two finishing Teams from the Group Stage will progress into the Knock-out Stages. The Indian contingent will clash swords against Felda United FC in their first game, which is slated to kick-off on August 19, 2015 at the Hand Tuah Stadium, away from home in Malaysia.

Expressing his content with the exposure that the Asia Champions Trophy will provide, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team Lee Johnson spoke exclusively to www.the-aiff.com and said, “It is important for any Player to play games in a competitive environment, as a competitive environment is an integral part of any Player’s development”. “These Competitions provide the experience needed in order to develop as a Player”, added the former Chelsea Academy Coach.
The 17 member squad is as follows:

14.10.2015 : AIFF PRESSRELEASE : The Indian U-19 National Team defeated Thailand’s Chonburi FC 2-1 in their last home match of the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco, Goa today (October 14, 2015). A late goal by Captain Daniel Lalhlimpuia gave the Indian colts much needed three points and propelled them to first in the standings of Group A of the Competition.

The Indian contingent faces Malaysia’s Frenz United A next in an away fixture on October 22, 2015 and mathematically need a point to secure qualification to the latter stages of the Competition. Speaking in the Official Post Match press conference, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team, Lee Johnson said, “The lads were very disciplined today. There were times when Chonburi got the better of us, but we regrouped and showed our character and desire to win the match. This win gives the Team a boost of confidence.”

“If we had taken our chances, who knows what the score-line might be”, Lee added.Johnson’s boys were also showered with lavish praise by Chonburi FC’s Head Coach Naruephon Kaenson. “The Indian Team was better than us in every department and they deserved to win. They were very compact and hard to break down”, Kaenson stated at the Post Match press conference.

Coming on the back of a 2-1 win against Malaysia’s Frenz United A, the Indian colts took an early lead against their Thai opponents as Rakesh Oram tapped the ball home in the 6th minute of the match. Two minutes later, the colts tried to double their lead as Rakesh found Lalramzuava on the right asphalt, bursting towards goal. However the latter was caught in defensive traffic.

While the outfield players were having a field day – nullifying the Thai attacks and launching their own – Goalkeeper Sayak Barai enjoyed the view from afar. However Barai was called into action in the 20th minute and made a fantastic save to deny Chonburi their equalizer. Soon after, the colts were handed an opportunity to double their lead on a platter as Milan was released onto goal by an exquisite Daniel through ball. Milan however, with only the keeper to beat, failed to do his chance justice.

In the 37th minute, Ashique’s through ball found Nishu Kumar clear on the left asphalt, whose shot rattled the post after being finger-touched to safety by the Thai custodian. Three minutes later, Milan blasted his chance home, but the euphoria was cut-short by an offside flag. The Indian colts were left to rue their complacency infront of goal in the dying embers of the first half as Chonburi FC scored to equalize their deficit. And at half-time both Teams went into the tunnel on level pegging as the score-line read 1-1.

Changing over and the colts fostered another goal-scoring opportunity soon after the kick-off. Daniel, after wriggling his way through the Thai defence shot onto goal, but the Thai custodian once again denied India with a superb save. The ricocheted ball fell into Ashique’s stride, whose venomous shot was once again kept out of the goal by the Thai custodian.

With chances piling up, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 National Team reshuffled his pack and introduced Bidyananda Singh for Milan Basumatary in an attempt to make the most out of opportunities.Twelve minutes from time the Indian colts were handed another opportunity to break the deadlock as Daniel’s volley flew inches wide past the goal. Five minutes later, Sajid’s thumping header following a Bidyananda corner went whisker over the goal.

The breakthrough after much delay finally came in the 89th minute when Daniel skillfully slotted the ball home past the Thai custodian from 20 yards to give India the lead. Had the Indian colts taken their chances the score-line would have been injected with more gloss, however it was the three points that mattered and at the end of time the score-line read 2-1 in favor of the Indian contingent.

AIFF PRESS 23.09.2015 : The Indian U-19 National Team defeated Malaysian Club Side Frenz United A 2-1 in the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 on Wednesday (September 23, 2015) in Vasco, Goa. Daniel Lalhlimpuia and Mawihmingthanga scored on the either side of half-time to hand Frenz United A their first defeat of the Asia Champions Trophy 2015, whilst enabling the Indian colts to garner seven points out of four matches.

Speaking in the Official Post-match Press Conference, Head Coach of the Indian U-19 Team Lee Johnson praised the attitude of his Team on-field: “I am extremely satisfied with the performance the Team showcased tonight. The Players had worked hard in the training and they deserved this win”This win has also given us the confidence and indicated us that we can play and edge out a result against an opposition which is well versed in the game”

“It is satisfying and pleasing to see the Players showcase their leadership quality on the pitch. Our defenders worked hard during the match and had a brilliant game tonight”, quipped Johnson.nLee Johnson’s boys also came under lavish praise from the Frenz United A Head Coach, Erik van der Meer, who had earlier said: “India deserved to win. They pressed and cancelled us during the match and their defenders were in superb form”.

On a hot and humid evening in Goa, the Indian colts turned on the style as they attacked with finesse and flair from the early minutes of the match. Mawihmingthanga’s went on a sterling run, feinting two defenders in the process to ring the attacking bells for the Indian contingent in the 3rd minute. Two minutes later, Malsawmzuala’s venomous shot came close to opening the goal scoring account for the Indian colts.

With momentum on their side the Indian colts started to pull string and create goal scoring chances at will, Chhangte’s rocket-of-a-shot, following a tacky Indian counterattack was headed clear by the Malaysian Club’ defence in the 20th minute. While the Indian forwards continued to raid the opposition citadel, the Indian defence thwarted the counter-attacks initiated by Frenz United. Sajid’s inch-perfect tackle to rob the opposition of gaining ground on goal indicated the tenacity of the Indian defence.

In the 39th minute, Ashique’s shot, after feinting clear of his defender was saved by the opponent custodian. With the colts emulating their own version of symphony in motion by jotting down some exquisite passing moves to split open the opposition defence, it was only a matter of time before the opening goal of the match came. And it did in the 41st minute when the skipper Daniel leapt higher than his marker and headed the ball home, following an Indian freekick to send the Indian contingent into the half-time with a solitary goal lead.

Changing over, the Indian Colts started where the left on, on an attacking note. The Colts came close to doubling their lead in the 51st minute as a shot flew just inches wide of the post. Three minutes later, Ashique’ volley following a delicious cross from the right flank sailed inches over the crossbar. In the 65th minute Frenz United A equalized their deficit against the run of play to make the score-line 1-1.

Not to be deterred the Indian colts maintained their grip on the game and pressed for a goal. In the 72ndminute an Indian cutback into the penalty area was read by the Malaysian club’s defence and cleared.Two minutes later, the Indian contingent took the lead again as Mawihmingthanga danced past two opponents and slotted the ball home with sheer composure to make the score-line 2-1. For the rest of the match, the Indian colts successfully thwarted Frenz United’s efforts with acumen and at the end of time the score-line read 2-1 in favor of the Indian contingent.

India U-18, win by a solitary goal against Felda United FC, Malaysia in the FAM-Frenz Asia Champions Trophy 2015 at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Wednesday (September 2). The colts after three matches stand on four points in the Championship. On 85th minute Lallianzuala Chhangte placing it in past a diving rival Goalkeeper Amirul Rahman. In the first half the score line was goalless.

22.08.2015: : India ------ 2-4 ----- Chonburi FC - Thailand AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Indian U-19 National Team went down fighting 2-4 against Thailand’s Chonburi FC in their second match of the Asia Champions Trophy on Wednesday (August 26, 2015) at the IPE Stadium in Chonburi, Thailand. After starting off their Asia Champions Trophy campaign with a goalless stalemate against Felda United, the Indian Colts took an early lead in the 20th minute of the match, when Nishu Kumar’s decisive pass was directed into the goal by the opponent’s defence.

The Thai opponents, however, scored in quick successions to equalize their deficit and double their lead by halftime. At halftime the score-line read 3-1 in favor of Chonburi FC. Chonburi FC tripled their lead in the 51st minute. Not to be deterred the Indian colts minimized their deficit in the 70th minute of the match. Ashique Kuruniyan lobbed exquisitely with finesse over the advancing opponent’s custodian to minimize the Indian colts’ deficit.

At the end of 90 minutes, the scoreline read 4-2 in favor of Chonburi FC. After playing two away games on the trot, the Indian colts will now face Malaysia’s Felda United FC on September 02, 2015 in a home fixture which is slated to kick-off in Goa.

22.08.2015: : India ------ 0-0 ----- Felda United - Malaysia AIFF PRESS RELEASE : The Indian U-19 Colts were held to a goalless draw against Malaysian Club side Felda United on Wednesday (August 19, 2015) in their first match of the FAM-FRENZ Asia Champions Trophy 2015 at the Hang Tuah Stadium in Malaysia.

The Indian contingent has been drawn in Group B alongside Frenz United A, Chonburi FC and Felda United; and clashes swords against Thailand’s Chonburi FC next on August 29, 2015 in an away fixture. After a wary start, the Indian contingent started to pull string and dominate possession. With his beckoning guile and glitzy moves, Suman Sarkar exposed the defence of the opposition, but to no avail.

Two long shorts shortly after, first by Nishu Kumar and then by Vinit Rai, came agonizingly close to open the goal scoring tally for the colts. At the half-time both Teams went into the tunnel on level pegging. Head Coach Lee Johnson shuffled his pack and introduced Lalrinzuala in place of Loken Meitei after the break to up the ante of the Indian colts. In the dying embers of the game, the Indian clots had an opportunity to grab the winner, but a low drive from Ashique Kuruniyan, after a tacky passing move, went whiskers wide of the goal.

Both Teams nullified each other for the rest of the time and at the end of ninety-minutes the score-line remained 0-0.